Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

"I know, An'er is his older brother's child."

Ling Xi spoke calmly, her face showing no emotion whatsoever.

"You know?"

Consort Rui looked on in disbelief, her lips trembling slightly. She stood there stunned for a moment before slowly shaking her head, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Ce'er, I actually... I actually told you this secret."

She was stunned and felt a tremendous shock to her heart.

"Since Ce'er is willing to be completely open with you, it's clear he truly loves you to the bone. Then you should know that when he protected Wan Ning, it wasn't for any other reason than for his deceased brother. Wan Ning was the person his elder brother loved; the brothers were deeply devoted to each other since childhood. With Mo'er gone, he had to protect Wan Ning and her child for his brother's sake. Even his request to have An'er made the heir to the royal family was for this reason. Ling Xi, Ce'er has lived a life of utter helplessness these past years; he never intentionally deceived you..."

"Stop talking, please stop talking..."

Ling Xi felt a sudden, unbearable pain in her chest. Xiao Ce was thinking of his brotherly bond with her, yet he was turning his weapon against her brother. How could she easily forgive him?

"Stop talking... I, I'm going back now."

Ling Xi couldn't listen any longer. She stood up hastily and, without waiting for her reaction, turned and headed for the door.

As Consort Rui watched her hastily fleeing figure, her body froze for a moment, a trace of sorrow spreading between her brows and eyes, her gaze gradually dimming, leaving only a heart full of helplessness and heartache.

The moment Ling Xi stepped out of Zhengyang Courtyard, a heavy weight pressed down on her heart. Alone, she wandered aimlessly through the garden corridors.

Upon arriving in Jinling, his already wavering emotions were now completely in turmoil. The inner conflict was pulling at his internal organs, and waves of dull pain washed over him.

Over the years, her mother had repeatedly advised her to let go of the past and find a better match, but she always refused with various reasons.

But only she knew that her heart had never truly let go of Xiao Ce. She left him, but she never left behind the pain, and this excruciating agony always stemmed from the love hidden deep within her heart that had never faded. The deeper the pain, the more intense her love.

"aunt!"

A soft, childlike voice suddenly rang out. Ling Xi looked up and saw Qin Xing, whom she had just parted ways with, skipping towards her, followed by her wet nurse and a maid from the Prince Rui's mansion.

She quickly concealed the chaotic and sorrowful thoughts on her face, swiftly calmed her emotions, and managed a forced, faint smile.

"Why did Xingxing come here all by herself? Where are your brothers Yu and Yue?"

Qin Xing sighed heavily, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Brother Yu, Brother Yue, and Brother An are all practicing calligraphy in the library! Xingxing was so bored that she ran out to find her aunt."

"A library? A calligraphy practice room?"

Ling Xi repeated the sentence softly, a hint of dazedness flashing in her eyes. Yue'er is usually quiet and patient, so it's believable that she would patiently practice calligraphy. But Yu'er is naturally lively and has always disliked calligraphy and books. And since her brother and Wushuang hardly restrain them, why would she obediently stay in the library to practice calligraphy?

"If Aunt doesn't believe me, Xingxing will take you there now to see for yourself."

Qin Xing looked up with a serious expression, her little hand holding Ling Xi's as she turned to walk towards the library.

Ling Xi was already feeling unsettled, so she just let her lead her forward aimlessly.

Led by Qin Xing, they soon arrived outside the library. The door was half-open, and a faint scent of ink and books wafted out. Ling Xi looked up and immediately saw three small figures sitting by the long table.

The three of them stood neatly on three sides of the long table, each with their heads bowed and their small hands holding wolf-hair brushes, quietly putting pen to paper, looking obedient and earnest.

This peaceful and harmonious scene caused Ling Xi, whose mind was in turmoil, to instinctively stop in her tracks.

Xiao Chen'an sat upright in the center, his brows and eyes displaying a composure beyond his years. He lowered his head, his profile mostly hidden in shadow, so Ling Xi couldn't see his face clearly. She only clearly noticed that his little face was no longer the full and round one it once was. The year she left the palace, he was only one year old, a soft and cuddly child who still needed constant protection. Now, he was already beginning to resemble a young boy.

Ling Yue sat on the right side of the desk, her small hand holding the pen calmly, each stroke focused. Ling Yu, who usually couldn't sit still for even a moment, sat quietly on the left side, unusually undistracted.

"aunt!"

Ling Yu raised his head at some point, his eyes lighting up with excitement. He immediately dropped the brush in his hand, stood up abruptly, and ran quickly toward her with his short legs.

Ling Yue and Xiao Chen'an looked up at the sound. Ling Yue's lips moved, but she didn't say anything, just quietly looked at her, while Xiao Chen'an immediately put down his pen and stood up from his desk.

"Are you Ling Yu and Ling Yue's aunt?"

A glint suddenly lit up in Xiao Chen'an's eyes. He walked around the large desk and took a few steps closer.

Ling Yu excitedly grabbed Ling Xi's other hand, raised his chin, and boasted to Xiao Chen'an:

"Xiao Chen'an, look, I didn't lie to you! Isn't my aunt the most beautiful person in the world?"

Xiao Chen'an's mouth was slightly open, and he was momentarily speechless with shock. He could only nod blankly. After a moment, he tentatively spoke in a low voice:

"Can...can I call you auntie too?"

Ling Xi was momentarily stunned, looking at Xiao Chen'an, who had grown up quite a bit, with mixed feelings. He used to obediently call her "Mother".

Her gaze inadvertently swept across his forehead, where a faint, subtle scar was hidden. It was barely noticeable unless you looked closely; it must have been from when she took him to chase butterflies in the garden years ago, where they fell and bumped into each other.

She subconsciously raised her hand, her fingertips hovering just above his cheek, then restrained herself and slowly withdrew it, nodding slightly.

"You can call me auntie."

"aunt!"

Xiao Chen'an's previously calm and solemn face instantly broke into a clean and genuine smile.

"Auntie, see? I wasn't lying! My brothers really were practicing their calligraphy."

Qin Xing gently shook Ling Xi's hand and pointed in Ling Yue's direction. Ling Xi walked slowly forward, her gaze falling on the table, where a thick stack of papers covered with writing had already been piled up.

"An'er, do you have to write so much every day?"

Before Xiao Chen'an could speak, Ling Yu sighed, her face falling:

"That's not all. When we came yesterday, Xiao Chen'an was still reciting his lessons. Besides the lessons assigned by his teacher, he also has time every day to practice riding and archery and learn to play chess. My uncle insisted that my younger brother and I learn with him. I wish I hadn't come..."

Just listening to Ling Yu's complaints made Ling Xi feel tired. She turned to look at Xiao Chen'an, who was calm beside her.

"Did your father require you to learn this?"